To maintain their leadership in occupational programming in today's competitive postsecondary market, community colleges must (1) examine and cope with issues identified by industry, (2) explore alternatives to course and degree programming, (3) develop and use outcome measures, and (4) base programming decisions on coordinated data. (RT)

As postsecondary vocational education turns increasingly to preparation for high technological occupations, the question arises as to whether or not this infatuation with education for high technological occupations is reasonable and justified. Data on technician-level employment seem to contradict the view that high technological manufacturing is…

In an effort to determine the current occupational outlook and resulting implications for education and training, the City College of San Francisco (CCSF), in California, undertook a study of current trends in the travel and tourism industry. This report provides findings from the project, which involved consultation with local and national…

In November 1985, a survey was conducted at William Rainey Harper College (WRHC), in Illinois, to test the feasibility of establishing programs for medical record technicians, medical coders, and utilization analysts. The survey instrument was mailed to 1,232 hospitals, medical care facilities, nursing homes, physicians' and dentists' offices, and…

There are several signs that a college can use to determine if a program needs evaluation from a consumer point of view. Answers to the following questions can be very revealing: How many students start the program per year? How many graduate per year? What do they do when they graduate? How much money do they make? How long do they remain in the…

Demonstrates how colleges can use distance education to attract and retain a "critical mass" of learners for distance programs. Explores alternative ways to view distance education market opportunities and determine which avenues to pursue. Suggests how to be more effective in all aspects of distance education programs. (13 citations) (YKH)

This manual is designed to facilitate the planning and implementation of an environmental scanning project in Michigan's community colleges. (Environmental scanning is a systematic process for gathering and analyzing information about the external environment and relating it to an organization's internal environment.) This facilitator's guide is…

A study was conducted at William Rainey Harper College (WRHC) to determine the feasibility of establishing a new human services program with respect to employment potential and student demand for the program. A total of 113 youth service, residential care, community and family service organizations in the area were surveyed to establish a minimum…

The Maryland State Board for Community Colleges is conducting a study of the needs for postsecondary vocational-technical education on the Lower Eastern Shore of the state. This document represents an interim report on the progress of the study. Procedures included analyzing existing manpower and student interest data, verifying this information…

In spring 1990, a study was conducted at William Rainey Harper College (WRHC) to determine the feasibility of adding a career program in Hotel/Motel Management (HMM) to the current Food Service Program. Surveys were sent to 53 hotels and motels in the WRHC service area to determine employment demands that would affect the hiring of graduates of…

This literature review examines the utilization of community needs assessment data in program planning and evaluation efforts at community colleges. The review first defines and looks at the purposes of community needs assessments, noting that while such studies are purported to facilitate the planning and evaluation of credit and non-credit…

Canadian financial services organizations, and retail banking in particular, are changing rapidly due to the spiraling costs of labor, the influence of computers, and global competition. These changes are especially affecting bank tellers, who will need new skills to adapt to the changing workplace. To develop a timely and relevant training…

An occupational/technical program needs assessment model is described by which colleges can alter existing programs or develop new ones in anticipation of job market requirements. The report first discusses the two-part (existing and potential programs), tri-level (initial evaluation, individual program screening, and individual program planning),…

In 1990, a study was conducted at William Rainey Harper College (WRHC) to determine the feasibility of establishing an insurance program at the college and to assess local employment demand for insurance personnel. The survey instrument and a proposed curriculum for an associate degree program were mailed to 144 area insurance companies and…

Project QUEST (Quality Employment through Skills Training) was begun in 1992 to provide unemployed and working poor residents of San Antonio, Texas, with employment training and job placement services. The program provides tuition subsidies and ancillary support services to low-income San Antonio residents enrolled in two-year associate's degree…